The Dark Side of Aberdeen: A Self-guided Audio Walk
3.7
The Dark Side of Aberdeen: A Self-guided Audio Walk
By VoiceMap Aberdeen
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About
Explore the murkier corners of Aberdeen at your own pace with this highly acclaimed self guided audio walking tour of Aberdeen. Beginning from the Mercat Cross, you'll weave your way through hundreds of years of history while discovering the stories of piracy, slavery, and insurrection that the city hides in plain sight. Hear about "Indian Pete" and his efforts to banish child slavery. The tour is ready whenever you feel like taking a stroll. It plays audio automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smart phone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline. It does not need a network connection to work. If you've got an hour and want to see some of the grisly and gloomy corners that Aberdeen has to offer – this is the tour for you!
Lowest price guarantee
Ages 6-99, max of 10 per group
Duration: 30–40 minutes
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Audio guide: English
More
Highlights
- Lifetime access to 'Dark Aberdeen: Piracy, Slavery and Insurrection' tour
- VoiceMap Application
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
What's not included- Smartphone
- Transportation
- Food/drinks
- Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route
- Entry/Admission - Marischal College
- Start:
- Mercat Cross, Castle St, Aberdeen AB11 5HP, UKStart at the Mercat Cross at the Eastern end of Union Street, a short walk from the Visit Scotland centre. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.
End:- Marischal Square, Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen AB10 1BA, UK
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 110804P5- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travellers
- All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 110804P5
From
£7.08
per adult
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Itinerary
- Mercat Cross, Castle St, Aberdeen AB11 5HP, UKStart at the Mercat Cross at the Eastern end of Union Street, a short walk from the Visit Scotland centre. Before arrival, install the VoiceMap app and use the code provided on your ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart any time and complete at your own pace.
- 1The tour takes you on a wandering walk beginning at the Mercat Cross, near the Tourist Office, and ending with a dramatic view of the city's crown jewel - Marischall College. Start the tour in the app, put your phone in your pocket, and let your guide direct you through the streets. The total walking distance is approximately 1.5km and takes about an hour without stopping, but you can pause anytime! Most people will opt to stop for a coffee or ice-cream snack or for photography opportunities along the way. The narration is crisply mastered by a professional audio engineering staff, and the tour creates an engaging experience that is suitable for all ages that can wear ear buds. Key landmarks include: • Mercat Cross (Market Cross) • Aberdeen Harbour • Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Provost Ross House • Marischal Square and Marischal College • Provost Skene's House The exact route can be seen upon downloading or viewing the tour. Audio from the tour can also be previewed at this site.Pass byAberdeen Maritime MuseumProvost Ross HouseThe GreenProvost Skene's HouseMarischal Square
- Marischal Square, Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen AB10 1BA, UK
Top rated
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- blaeveren0 contributionsA bit too expensive for too little added valueIt was nice to walk along less well known parts of Aberdeen, and the offline tour with GPS worked really well. I just am not impressed by the (short) stories or the narration of it. If you read or have heard a lot about Aberdeen of Scottish history this tour won't add a lot of value, certainly not in relation to its price.Written 26 August 2024
- 68sarab0 contributionsFew glitches but very enjoyableThis was my first time working with GPS specific technology. Loved the information, delivered in an easy to listen to and engaging tone. Witch trials, beheadings, body snatchers, Mary Queen of Scots and and anatomy school! Really fascinating. Route was interesting with varied terrain. Personally had a bit of a fail as was unable to access the church yard as it was locked, but may have been doing my tour a little late. Found my way back on route without too much bother and peered through the railings. One of the other buildings referred to has, I think been demolished since the tour was recorded (little disorientating). I think that this is well worth doing if you have an hour or two to spend. Would recommend.Written 22 September 2023
- 376arweng0 contributionsHighly recommended - really interestingThis was excellent and I'd highly recommend it. So good to be able to go at a time that suited us and the app installation was very straightforward. The tour itself was really interesting, well narrated and a good length, with opportunities to stop and look at things in more detail. Very good value for money.Written 11 August 2023
- Andreia C0 contributionsGreat self-guided tour! Shame about the stopping and starting for meThe facts about all the history of crimes and punishments were gruesome but very interesting. However the app kept stopping for me and saying I was going off course... my partners however kept working well.Written 16 June 2023
- instorev0 contributionsGood value and informativeAndrew Baxter provides a very engaging and informative tour. We have completed three of his tours to date. We were challenged by the App GPS location on a few occasions causing us to double back.Written 21 May 2023
- antonlM490OW0 contributionsNice introductory guide for central AberdeenGreat introduction for some of central locations of Aberdeen if you are just starting or don’t have much time in the city.Written 20 April 2023
- awurschmidt0 contributionsGreat way to learn history and see the cityThe directions were clear and easy to follow. The map was nice just in case. The whole experience was very enjoyable and I would happily try a tour like this again Date of experience: June 2022Written 1 August 2022
- Vshambrook0 contributionsFun, informative tourFun experience walking around being told a little of the history of Aberdeen, One important note though, it uses a fair bit of phone battery running the app due to gps, make sure your phone is fully charged or have a portable charger ready, otherwise a great activity to kill a couple of hours.Written 25 July 2022
- ryanmT4117YA0 contributionsFun History WalkThis was a great introduction to the city. Lots of history and background in what makes Aberdeen the city it is. App worked great and the tour guide was easy to understand. It starts on the SW end of union near St James Episcopal church. Fun walk and took about an hour.Written 9 July 2022
- Mary Lynn M0 contributionsWalking tourThe tour was easy to follow, and we could go off the beaten path whenever we wanted to, we particularly enjoyed walking through the St Nicholas cemetery, but the Tolbooth museum was closed, so I was disappointed that we couldn’t go in, also since this is in a busy downtown area I would not recommend taking this tour alone nor if you have difficulty walking as there are many stairs and cobblestone walkways that could be challengingWritten 12 June 2022
- Debra K0 contributionsVery informativeGreat way to get acquainted with Aberdeen. You could start & stop the audio tour if you wanted to stop for a bite to eat or shop. Highly recommendWritten 30 January 2022
- 786mandyw0 contributionsPurposeful and informative walkAs a couple, on a short break, we enjoyed this tour , it took us to places we wouldn’t have gone without the tour, but as it’s self guided we were able to go at our own pace, we probably would have stopped off at the maritime museum but it was closed we did however stop near the end at the Stoble museum which was free and interactive, will do another tour with this company, ThanksWritten 18 October 2021
- PattiP8730 contributionsA bit scary (for the wrong reasons!)I went on this tour alone in the early afternoon on a bright sunny day. Started off well but a short while into the tour, I found myself in a very uncomfortable situation. Obviously, with phone in hand (to take photos or check map) and earphones in and leaves you slightly vulnerable in places you are not familiar with. Castlehill was a narrow single track lane with a bend which I couldn’t see around and no one else about. Turning the corner, there were a couple of homeless guys in a place strewn with cans and bottles. I felt very uneasy and uncomfortable but decided to carry on rather than go back. The next part was also very odd - no one about and I decided to take heed of my instincts and abandon the tour. It was a shame as I’m sure it would have been excellent. Maybe just don’t do it alone unless you’re a 6 foot 4 bodybuilder!Written 25 September 2021
- A3792TWlaurab0 contributionsGreat way to explore AberdeenReally impressed by how easy it is to follow the directions. Great narration and good easy walk through the city. Really enjoyed and definitely recommend if you’re not sure how to see Aberdeen. Will be trying these tours out in other cities now too!Written 13 September 2021
- 226georgiaa0 contributionsInteresting and enjoyableVery enjoyable and rest interesting to hear about the witches and the body snatching. Very creepy alley ways and spooky vibesWritten 11 September 2021
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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3.7
12 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Maryann C
Cumbernauld, UK20 contributions
My husband was a master orienteer at secondary school (lol) and we still got lost! on a number of occasions.
The stories were interesting, however we quickly realised we were not in sync, as he had a female narrative and I had a male.... We stopped the walk after around 20 minutes because we were being guided to areas that were dead ends.
(our fault) of course. Please don't let our experiace put you off.
The stories were interesting, however we quickly realised we were not in sync, as he had a female narrative and I had a male.... We stopped the walk after around 20 minutes because we were being guided to areas that were dead ends.
(our fault) of course. Please don't let our experiace put you off.
Written 8 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ash G
Elwood, Australia7 contributions
Jan 2020
This was great. So easy to do with your phone and when the tour started, your could put your phone away and hands in your pocket as it was SO cold at Christmas time. Not time consuming at all so you can squeeze it in to a day without any issues. A great little activity if you have limited time.
Written 12 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandman
Glasgow, UK5 contributions
Oct 2019
A really good way to pass time if you are looking for a novel experience. The instructions are very clear and even the warning given to you if you head off in the wrong direction was most appreciated.
As a fast walker my only downfall was not pacing the points of interest properly so I had to slow down to appreciate the narrative.
I will certainly try out some of the other tours on offer!
As a fast walker my only downfall was not pacing the points of interest properly so I had to slow down to appreciate the narrative.
I will certainly try out some of the other tours on offer!
Written 26 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sofarsogood
Noosa, Australia27 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
This was great value for money and perfectly pitched for a light stroll around Aberdeen. I did it with a local friend who also enjoyed it. Not sure if we missed a talk point but the tiled mural depicting the history of the Aberdeen Witch Panic is well worth a stop for a read. It was just before the Prince of Wales Pub in the corner of St Nicholas’ lane. Highly recommend.
Written 1 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nickjtravels
Church Crookham, UK4 contributions
Sept 2020
A very informative tour of Aberdeen that we did on our brief stop in Aberdeen earlier this year. When we return we will be doing one of the other tours on VoiceMap. Altogether a great experience that is perfect in a COVID-19 world as you go around by yourselves and will still work well when this pandemic is well behind us.
We were so pleased with this tour we did another one in Liverpool on the same trip and this was of the same quality. Just make sure you have plenty of charge on your phone!
We were so pleased with this tour we did another one in Liverpool on the same trip and this was of the same quality. Just make sure you have plenty of charge on your phone!
Written 22 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zoefruitcake
Daventry, UK45 contributions
I always enjoy tours when visiting somewhere new especially if they tell you the unusual things. This tour was quirky and fun, using your phone location to start the narration at the right point although it differs between devices as at times mine was playing and not my husband’s and vice versa. Only wish it had been longer
Written 19 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peewee Rey
United Arab Emirates16 contributions
Mar 2023 • Solo
On my first day in Aberdeen, I took this self-guided tour and it was a great chance for me to explore the place at my own pace. I love the tour’s topic since I’m a true crime fan and Dark Aberdeen is fantastic. As an introvert, this is a great chance to have fun going solo and digest the information given about the various stops.
I recommend this tour to those who wants a short tour around and with its bite-sized info, it’s perfect for those who doesn’t want to be overwhelmed with too much facts while on foot.
I recommend this tour to those who wants a short tour around and with its bite-sized info, it’s perfect for those who doesn’t want to be overwhelmed with too much facts while on foot.
Written 27 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clive
Eastbourne, UK7 contributions
Jun 2022
The picture depicted in the advert was demosished some 2 years ago which was main reason for doing your tour.
You will the last sight I look at for sny further tours thank you
You will the last sight I look at for sny further tours thank you
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
We're sorry you found the tour unsatisfactory and deceptive. We've removed the original cover image and added a few new images.
As you'll have seen from other reviews, the tour is well-liked and guides you past more than just that one building.
Keep well,
Alicia
Written 4 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve W
Dudley, UK2 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
Took you to places you would not ordinarily get to with the chance to stop and explore points of interest
Written 18 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kevin Hollingworth
2 contributions
Sept 2020 • Solo
Informative, interesting tour that wasn’t too long and gave good opportunities for a break if needed. Tracking and positioning system worked well to direct and start narrative at the right time.
Written 25 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Do you have to connect to the internet just to download the app, and then not have to access the internet to follow the app during the tour? If so, then I could just download the app while I have access to internet at a hotel or B&B. I doubt that my U.S. phone will be able to access the internet while in Scotland.
Written 6 August 2019
Hi Roger. The tour will download in around 40 seconds using the internet. You don’t need internet access during the tour. All smartphones can be GPS enabled which does not need internet access.
Written 18 August 2019
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